HEXRhelmets, the custom 3D printed bicycle helmets formerly known as HEXO, has now begun shipping to customers. Developed by London-based technology startup Hexr, Ltd., the helmet underwent final safety testing and design changes over the last six months, as well as a name change due to trademark issues behind the original HEXO title with an unnamed sports company.
The HEXR helmet features a 3D printed honeycomb core, produced using SLS 3D printing technology and Polyamide 11 from leading industrial 3D printer manufacturerEOS. Each helmet is 3D printed according to the measurements of the user, acquired through a 3D scanning app, in order to create a lightweight and protective headgear solution catered to the customer. The helmets are nowavailable to orderon the HEXR website at a price of £349, which includes the 3D scanning process.
3D printing honeycomb structures for improved protection
HEXR头盔由杰米·库克（Jamie Cook）创立，旨在彻底改变配备传统自行车头盔的标准保护，据库克（Cook）称，这已经60年没有创新了”。最初是在他在他的期间开始研究的University College London(UCL), Cook identified that most design methods for energy absorption are based on a flat contact area, rather than a curved surface area reflecting the shape of our heads. Cook continued his research at the牛津大学, where he utilized 3D printing to produce insulated curved honeycomb structures in Polyamide 11, forming the basis of the HEXR helmet.
从那以后，库克一直在努力launching the HEXR helmetsand making itcommercially available. A key element of the helmet is its customizability, enabled by 3D printing. Using HEXR’s bespoke 3D scanning software, customers can gain an ‘exact fit’ using a 30,000-point 3D mesh of their head. After purchasing a HEXR helmet from the website, customers can either book an appointment at HEXR’s London HQ, or receive a 3D scanner via post, in order to get their headscan. Once Hexr has a customer’s measurements, the company takes 2-4 weeks to 3D print it, before shipping it directly to the buyer.
As well as offering a personalized experience, the HEXR helmet also provides increased protection compared to traditional bicycle helmets, according to the company. Furthermore, the outer shell, which is the only part of the helmet that isn’t 3D printed, is produced withTotalSim，一家专门从事计算流体动力学的公司，可改善空气动力学性能。HEXR头盔还可以带有其他功能，包括定制雕刻，内置的太阳镜持有者，可移动盖的替代设计盖以及可选的棘轮系统，以提供额外的调整。
3D printed helmets
3D Printing Industry was at the launch event of theHEXR helmetin London, which was also attended by Markus Glasser, SVP of EOS, in February 2019. In an interview, Glasser discussed EOS’ collaboration with HEXR, the future of consumer 3D printing, and the use of Polyamide 11 in particular: “The benefit of 3D printing, in general, is that you can integrate functionality into the piece,” stated Glasser.
“P11 offers a certain practicality. [HEXR] asked that the part should never ever break or splinter, and for this P11 is very good.”
Other 3D printed helmets include the SpeedFlex Precision Diamond football helmet, created byCarbon’s L1 printer. The helmet incorporates an aerodynamic cell-like structure for impact resistance. Prior to this, researchers from theLawrence Livermore National Laboratorybegan exploringadditively manufactured microstructures能够具有独特的物理特性，还可以产生一种新型的头盔。
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特色的图像表演模型戴着3D打印的HEXR头盔。通过HEXR照片。
